Speed tracker

ABSTRACT

The present invention is a device for measuring and displaying the speed, force, rate and/or frequency that an object or a body part strikes a target. The present invention includes an impact sensor, transmitter, computer and display. The sensor includes layers of alternating conductive and non-conductive material that are wrapped around the target. The conductive layers of fabric generate electrical impulses when struck and serve as data points that are interpreted by the computer to derive statistics about a strike against the target.

REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of Provisional Application No.62/395,887, filed Sep. 16, 2016, the contents of which are incorporatedherein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a device for measuring,transmitting and displaying on a computer or mobile display device, thespeed, force, rate and/or frequency of impact of an object hitting atarget. In one preferred embodiment, the present invention is used tomeasure, transmit and display on a computer or cell phone, the speed,force, rate and/or frequency of impact of a person striking aself-defense training target.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

“Strike targets” are used in self-defense training. The targets absorbblows from various body parts of a self-defense training participant.These targets may be hand held or floor or wall mounted, they may bestationary or moving, they may look like the torso of a human body, apunching bag or some other shape.

These targets have advantages and disadvantages. A hand held targetrequires a second person to hold the target. The person holding thetarget is able to provide at least some limited feedback to theparticipant based on the sensory perceptions of the target holder, butsuch observations are usually imprecise. A stationary target does notrequire a second person to hold it, but offers no feedback to theparticipant.

One prior art device created by Applicant is illustrated in FIGS. 1 and2. The device utilizes a non-contact sensors, such as a laser, formeasuring and transmitting the speed of an object hitting a target. Thismeasurement is wirelessly transmitted to a computer or cell phone fordisplay. The prior art device has some shortcomings, as the laser mustbe pointed precisely where a trainer strikes a training bag. People havedifferent shapes and heights and do not strike the bag in the same placeor even consistently strike the bag in the same place. This results inpoor measurements or no measurements at times. Further, the laser isfocused on a particular location and the speed measured is only thespeed of a body part at that instant, not necessarily the strike forceon the bag.

Thus, there remains a need for a target that does not require an extraperson to hold the device and which will give consistently accurateinformation to the self-defense training participant about the strikeforce, speed and rate.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a device for measuring and displaying thespeed, force and/or rate an object or a body part strikes a target. Thepresent invention includes a sensor, computer, transmitter and adisplay.

The sensor of the present invention consists of a first and second layerof conductive fabric separated by a layer of perforated, non-conductivefabric. The distance between the conductive layers is known. Uponstriking the first conductive fabric layer, the conductive fabricgenerates an electric signal that is transmitted to a computer, such asa laptop/desktop, cell phone, tablet or similar device, indicating thetime of the initial strike.

The force of the strike causes portions of the first conductive layer offabric come into contact with portions of the second conductive fabriclayer through the perforations in the non-conductive material. When thisoccurs, the first and/or second conductive layers generate an electricsignal that is transmitted to the computer indicating the time ofcontact. An algorithm is applied to these signals/data in light of thedistance between the two conductive fabric layers to determine thespeed, force and/or rate of the strike. This information is thendisplayed on the display device.

The display system of the present invention is typically the computerbut can be some other device. The computer can be in direct electriccommunication with the conductive fabric or in wireless communication.The wireless system includes a communication device in electriccommunication with the conductive fabrics for receiving signals from thefabric. The communication device either interprets the signals from theconductive fabrics and wirelessly transmits the interpreted data to thecomputer for display or simply transmits the data obtained from theconductive fabrics to the computer for interpretation and display.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings are included to provide a furtherunderstanding of embodiments and are incorporated in and constitute apart of this specification. The drawings illustrate embodiments andtogether with the description serve to explain principles ofembodiments. Other embodiments and many of the intended advantages ofembodiments will be readily appreciated as they become better understoodby reference to the following detailed description. The elements of thedrawings are not necessarily to scale relative to each other. Likereference numerals designate corresponding similar parts.

FIG. 1 is a flow diagram illustrating the general components andoperation of the prior art;

FIG. 2 is a flow diagram illustrating the general operation of the priorart;

FIG. 3 is a flow diagram illustrating the general components andoperation of one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 illustrates the alternating layers of conductive andnon-conductive material utilized in the present invention;

FIG. 5 illustrates a side view of the non-conductive fabric of thepresent invention;

FIG. 6 is a flow diagram illustrating how signals generated by strikingan object are transmitted from a sensor to a CPU where the signals arealgorithmically interpreted and the resulting data is wirelesslytransmitted for display on a display device;

FIG. 7 is a table of specifications of preferred electrically conducivefabrics;

FIG. 8A is a table illustrating the design performance andcharacteristics of one preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8B is a continuation of the table of FIG. 8A; and

FIG. 9 is a table showing characteristics of one preferred embodiment ofa fabric utilized in the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Applicant developed a prior art device for measuring the speed of a kickagainst a training bag, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. This device includesthe use of a strike target 1, two opposing laser transmitters/receivers2, WIFI or other wireless connection 3 and a display device (computer 4or phone 5).

Each laser device includes a transmitter/receiver in spaced relationthat corresponds with a receiver/transmitter on the other laser as shownin FIG. 2. Each transmitter sends a signal to the receiver on theopposing laser, creating two spaced constant signals.

In operation, a trainee kicks target 1 between the lasers 2. As shown inFIG. 2, the kick in the direction of arrow 6 breaks the first signal,causing one of the lasers to send a first message to the microcomputer.As the kick progresses in the direction of arrow 6, the second signal isbroken, causing one of the lasers to send a second message to themicrocomputer. At the microcomputer, an algorithm is applied, based onthe distance between the first and second laser signals and the timedifferential measured between the breaking of the first and secondsignals, to calculate the speed of the strike.

The prior art device has a number of disadvantages. The lasers are quiteexpensive and heavy and require constant adjustment and calibrationsince people of different sizes and shapes strike the target atdifferent heights. (Each participant may strike the target at adifferent height throughout training as well.) This results in poormeasurements or non-measurements of the strike. Additionally, thelasers, if struck by a trainee, can be damaged or cause harm to thetrainee.

In contrast, the present invention 10 requires less equipment,dramatically reduces the weight and cost of the system, requires nocalibration or adjustment, does not present any obstacles that couldharm a trainee and improves the ease of moving the system.

The present invention operates in a similar fashion as the prior art butinstead of the heavy, high maintenance and expensive lasers, the presentinvention utilizes a sensor attached to the target to measure speed,force and rate of a strike. In one preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 3,the present invention includes a sensor 12 attached to target 20. Thesensor is in electrical communication with a computer/wirelesstransmitter 14 which communicates wirelessly with display 16 (desktop orlaptop computer 16A or cell phone or other portable display device 16B)having a wireless receiver.

Sensor 12 consists of layers of alternating conductive 24, 28, 32 andnon-conductive 26, 30 material or fabric as diagramed in FIG. 4. Thelayered fabric is attached to, wrapped around or forms the skin of thetarget. (As illustrated, the fabric covers a significant portion of thebag 1 so that people of all sizes are likely to strike the fabricportion of the bag on each hit or strike.)

The conductive layers are responsive to a strike, such that anelectrical signal is generated and transmitted to thecomputer/transmitter.

In one preferred embodiment, the layered fabric of sensor 12 includes atleast two layers of conductive fabric, cloth or foam 24 and 28 (firstand third layers) separated by a perforated, non-conductive fabric,cloth or foam layer 26 (shown in side view in FIG. 5). In anotherpreferred embodiment, the fabric may include additional layers ofconductive material separated by non-conductive material, as shown at 30and 32 in FIG. 4. The conductive layers of fabric generate electricalimpulses when struck and serve as data points that are interpreted bythe computer to derive information about the strike against the target.

The distance between the conductive layers is defined by the width ofthe non-conductive fabric. Upon striking the first conductive fabriclayer 24, the conductive fabric sends an electrical signal to thecomputer/transmitter 14 setting an initial strike time. The force of thestrike causes portions of the first conductive layer of fabric 24 tocome into contact with portions of the second conductive fabric layer 28through perforations or openings 27 in the non-conductive material 26.When this occurs, electrical impulses from the first or secondconductive layers 24, 28 are sent to the computer/transmitter 14 toidentify the time of the second strike. An algorithm is applied to thisdata based on the distance between the two conductive fabric layers andthe time differential between the first and second signals to determinethe speed, force, rate and/or frequency of the strike (and suchadditional information as can be derived using the fabric and computerof the present invention). (Alternatively, the first and second signalsact as an “on” and “off” switch to record the time differential betweenthe first and second signals.) This information is then transmitted toand displayed on the display device in usable form. Such impactinformation/statistics can be displayed in any desired units, i.e. milesper hours or kilometers per hour for speed.

The width of the non-conductive layer of fabric 26 can bepre-established to assist in the measurement of the time between contactwith the first fabric layer and the second fabric layer. Alternatively,as shown in FIG. 5, multiple layers of alternating conductive andnon-conducting fabric can be utilized with multiple data points (signalsfrom the conductive fabric layers in response to the strike) to confirmor enhance the accuracy and completeness of the information obtainedfrom the device.

One preferred fabric is Statfree® Conductive Foam identified bycharacteristics identified in FIG. 7 and FIG. 9. However, the presentinvention is not limited to such characteristics or fabric.

Some preferred functionality of the present invention is illustrated inFIGS. 8A and 8B, but again, such functionality is not limiting, onlyexemplary.

Strike target 20 shown in the drawings is a training bag, but there isno limitation on the strike targets to which the fabric (sensor) can beattached. The impact sensor may be mounted to impact devices orstructures such as a punching bag, football blocking sled to measureplayer speed of impact with the sled, baseball backstops to measure thespeed of a pitch, a tennis practice wall to measure the speed of a serveor return, among other possibilities.

In one preferred embodiment, the sensor computer/transmitter is mountedaway from the strike zone of the fabric to protect it from damage andthe trainee from harm.

In one preferred embodiment, more than one display can be synchronizedwith the sensor to display the impact data in a desired form.

In one preferred embodiment, the measuring device automatically resetsin preparation for the next strike after the fabric signals are sent.

In one preferred embodiment, impact or strike data can be organized andsaved in the computer/transmitter or display device for future referenceand the data for each trainee can be organized to provide desiredreports to trainees, instructors, observers and record keepers.

In one preferred embodiment, the sensor merely sends raw signals to thedisplay and the display computer, which interprets the data and displaysthe strike information.

In one preferred embodiment, the fabric signals are transmitted to thedisplay and the display interprets the data and displays the impactinformation.

Application of the technology of the present invention is not limited tosports. It is anticipated that the present invention is useful in anysituation where it is desirable to know the speed, force, rate,frequency or other information regarding the impact of an object or bodypart against a target.

Even though numerous characteristics and advantages of the presentinvention have been set forth in the foregoing description, togetherwith details of the structure and function of the invention, thedisclosure is illustrative only, and changes may be made in detail,especially in matters of shape, size, and arrangement of parts withinthe principles of the invention to the full extent indicated by thebroad general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims areexpressed.

1. An impact measuring device for measuring the impact of an objecthitting a target, including: a. a sensor for mounting on a target, thesensor including a computer in electric communication with a layeredfabric, the layered fabric including first and second layers ofconductive fabric separated by a layer of non-conductive fabric havingone or more openings in the fabric, the distance between the conductivelayers being known, b. a display device in communication with thecomputer for displaying impact data; c. whereupon striking the firstconductive fabric layer, a signal is transmitted by the first fabriclayer to the computer and upon contact of the first fabric layer withthe second fabric layer through the openings in the non-conductivefabric layer, a second signal is transmitted by one of the first orsecond fabric layers to the computer, and an algorithm is applied basedon the signals sent by the conductive fabric layers in light of thedistance between the first and second fabric layers to obtain relevantinformation about the impact which is then displayed on the displaydevice.
 2. The impact measuring device of claim 1 wherein the layeredfabric includes three or more alternating layers of conductive andnon-conductive fabric, starting with a conductive fabric material at thetop.
 3. The impact measuring device of claim 1 wherein the algorithmderives one or more of the speed, force, rate and frequency of theimpact.
 4. The impact measuring device of claim 1 wherein the impactmeasuring device automatically resets in preparation for the next strikeafter the fabric signals are sent.
 5. The impact measuring device ofclaim 1 wherein the non-conductive fabric is interchangeable to permitapplication of different widths of non-conductive fabric.
 6. The impactmeasuring device of claim 1 wherein the display device is a cell phone.7. The speed of impact measuring device of claim 1 wherein the displaydevice is a personal computer.
 8. The speed of impact measuring deviceof claim 1 wherein the sensor computer is mounted away from the strikezone of the fabric.
 9. The speed of impact measuring device of claim 1wherein more than one display can be synchronized with the sensor todisplay the impact data in a desired form.
 10. The speed of impactmeasuring device of claim 1 wherein impact data can be organized andsaved in the computer or display device for future reference.
 11. Thespeed of impact measuring device of claim 1 wherein data for eachtrainee can be organized to provide desired reports.
 12. The speed ofimpact measuring device of claim 1 wherein the fabric signals aretransmitted to the display and the display interprets the data anddisplays the impact information.